From our Friends: Books by Dr N. Sjoman: ‘Yoga Touchstone’, ‘Dead Birds’ ‘Yogasutracintamani’. Please order through the Contact pageMats, Clothing and more from Yogamasti

Today there are many different ‘takes’ on Yoga. There are many different schools, styles, ideologies. Most of these don’t even resemble ‘classical’ practices. There is a whole industry out there marketing the subject. Yoga is seen by many as a commodity. There is some good, decent work out there too, by committed individual teachers and groups. There is also an abundance of nonsense and huckstery sold to the unsuspecting.

Our form of training applies ancient wisdom of the ‘old yoga’, to create a modern reconditioning system. For start, it recognises that we don’t live in India. We have a different ‘ambiance’, different environment, different social, mental and physical conditioning. The posture and movement work therefore is explored, developed and shared in different formats. It is important to suit our own needs, abilities and aspirations without losing the true essence of this wonderful discipline.

At the core are some techniques and methods from the Ashtanga Yoga system. This system carries some very old principles from ‘classical’ scriptures such as the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali (more appropriately the Patanjalayogashastra). Our own methodology is also informed by modern science, philosophy and arts old and new.

Our name, ‘Paśyanti’, was recommended by our mentor and good friend, one of the top experts in the field, yoga teacher and Sanskrit scholar, Dr Norman Sjoman. This name was given to reflect on the deeper dimensions of our style of practice.

For those who are interested in looking beyond the physical practice and want to use yoga to unfold to their full potential, deeper learning is available. Our training system is backed up by a philosophy that essentially it is about integrity. It takes a pragmatic look at concepts from scriptures such as the Patanjalayogashastra and tests their applicability in current western society. These sources, as well as our observations of modern living show clearly the need for sensible moral and ethical foundations. Without them a human life is rather shallow, and true integrity is not possible.

Our work is not a mainstream, money-led, commercial operation. It stands on its own – not as some organisation or institution, but as a methodology, a system, a way – a ‘krama’. The primary purpose here is to learn, improve and share, through an intelligent discipline, for the benefit of all those who come to us.